Heather's Corner: Saddle Up Oro Valley!

Interested in horse lessons whether you are an amateur or novice? Maybe you should be. After all, we do live in the old west!

How about a kids camp for youths 6-12?

Rolling Hills Riding Academy may just be for you.

The academy began in 2006 when Donica Draper discovered the riding school she currently worked for was closing down. Born out of a love of horses and perhaps a bit of entrepreneurial gumption for this stay at home mom, she purchased the riding school herself and has transformed it into the Rolling Hills Riding Academy so loves by many today.

The school offers a variety of lessons in horsemanship and riding skills for both Western and English styles. Their Therapeutic program was designed for children and adults with Autism, Aspergers, ADD, ADHD, and Dyslexia. The instructors are PATH (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International) Certified or are in the process of getting their certification and lessons can be taken with beauties like Chief:

"Chief is an 11 year old quarter horse gelding. Chief is a second generation school horse. His mother Cora (Cora Vette) was a school horse for both rolling hills riding Academy and Tortolita Mountain ranch before that. Chief has a special job at Rolling Hills Riding Academy. Chief teaches people how to work with and train horses. He works as a therapy horses with people whose handicaps are emotional. He has a gift of reading people and understanding how to show them love in the way they need to receive it. Chief’s favorite activity is to be loved on and fed apples." 

Currently, there is a Winter Camp that runs from December 30th through January 3rd. There, children can learn about horse behavior, grooming, horse breeds, arts and crafts, and horseback riding. Proper helmets and boots are available for loan as the camp focuses on the relationship between rider and horse but most importantly, safety.

More information can be found on their website, www.rollinghillsridingacademy.com, at the Oro Valley town web site, or by calling Oro Valley Parks and Rec at 229-5050.

Happy trails to you...



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Heather Nenadovich has lived in Oro Valley a total of five years. She has a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Arizona. Her husband is Canadian so she is a hockey fan by default and so are her two very clever children. When not being a mommy, she enjoys hiking in Catalina State Park, hand building pottery, and gardening. Her favorite things about living in Oro Valley are the towns recognition of art and culture, their commitment to preserving nature and the Christmas parade. (Also anything from GMG Chinese Bistro.)